Watchtower Study, Week of January 8 to 14, 2024, Jehovah guarantees us that the Earth will be a paradise, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, January 8-14, 2024, Jehovah guarantees us that the Earth will be a paradise, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response.

Dark Yellow: Additional Response.

Light Blue: Additional Points.

“Everyone who wants to obtain a blessing on earth will be blessed by the God of truth” (IS. 65:16).

1. What message did the prophet Isaiah convey to the Israelites?

THE PROPHET Isaiah called Jehovah “the God of truth.” The Hebrew word for “truth” in this expression literally means “amen” (Is. 65:16; note). And amen means “so be it” or “surely.” In the Bible, the word amen is used many times to confirm that what Jehovah or Jesus says or does is true. Therefore, the message that Isaiah wanted to convey to the Israelites was very clear: what Jehovah predicts always comes true. Jehovah has demonstrated that this is so by fulfilling all of his promises.

2. Why can we trust in Jehovah's promises for the future? What questions will be answered in this article?

2 And us? Can we trust what Jehovah has promised for the future? About 800 years after the time of the prophet Isaiah, the apostle Paul explained why we can be convinced that Jehovah’s promises will come true. He said, “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). Is it true that it is impossible for fresh water and salt water to come out of the same source or spring? In the same way, no lies can come from Jehovah—the source of truth. So we can fully trust everything Jehovah says, and that includes his promises for the future. This article will answer the following questions: What has Jehovah promised for the future? And how have you guaranteed that his promise will come true?

WHAT HAS JEHOVAH PROMISED?

3. a) What promise occupies a special place in our hearts? (Revelation 21:3, 4). b) What do some say when we read this promise to them?

3 The promise we are going to talk about holds a very special place in the hearts of God's servants around the world (read Revelation 21:3, 4). to). Jehovah promises that “death will be no more, nor will there be any more sadness or crying or pain.” In preaching we use these verses a lot to comfort people and tell them what life in Paradise will be like. What do some say when they hear this promise? b). “That's too good to be true.”

4. a) What two things did Jehovah know? b) What did Jehovah do besides make a promise?

4 a ). When Jehovah inspired the apostle John to write this promise about Paradise, he knew that we would use it in our preaching today. He also knew that many people would find it difficult to believe in the “new things” he promises (Is. 42:9; 60:2; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4). So how can we help others be convinced that the blessings mentioned in Revelation 21:3, 4 will come true? And how can we strengthen our own confidence in Jehovah and his promises? b). Jehovah not only made this beautiful promise, but he also gave us compelling reasons to trust in it. What are those reasons?

JEHOVAH GUARANTEES THAT HIS PROMISE WILL COME TRUE

5. In which verses do we find reasons to trust in Jehovah's promise, and what do they say?

5 In the following verses we find reasons to trust in Jehovah's promise of Paradise. There we read: “He who sat on the throne said, 'Look! I am making all things new.' He also said, 'Write these words, for they are faithful and true.' And he told me: 'They have already come true! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end'” (Revelation. 21:5, 6).

6. How do the words of Revelation 21:5, 6 strengthen our confidence in Jehovah's promise?

6 How do these words strengthen our confidence in Jehovah's promise? The book of Revelation b explains these verses: “It is as if Jehovah himself were signing for faithful humanity a guarantee, or title deed, regarding these future blessings.” In Revelation 21:3, 4 we read the promise of Jehovah, and then, in verses 5 and 6, it is as if Jehovah puts his signature on that promise, thus guaranteeing that it will be fulfilled. Let us now analyze in detail the different expressions that Jehovah uses in that guarantee.

7. Who begins to speak in verse 5, and why is that special?

7 The guarantee that God gives begins by saying: “He who sat on the throne said” (Rev. 21:5a). These words are special because they introduce one of the three times Jehovah speaks directly in the visions of Revelation. So this guarantee is given by Jehovah himself, not a powerful angel, not even Jesus. This reinforces our confidence in the words that follow, since Jehovah “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). Without a doubt, what Revelation 21:5, 6 says deserves all our confidence.

"LOOK! “I AM MAKING ALL THINGS NEW”

8. What does Jehovah say to confirm that his promise will be fulfilled? (Isaiah 46:10).

8 Now let's look at the word “Look!” (Rev. 21:5). The Greek term translated “Look!” It appears many times in Revelation. A reference work says that this expression is usually used “to draw the reader's attention to what comes next.” And what comes next? God declares, “I am making all things new.” Although Jehovah is speaking of changes that he will make in the future, he is so certain that this promise will come true that he speaks of those changes as if he were already making them (read Isaiah 46:10).

9. a) What actions does the phrase “making all things new” make us think of? b) What will happen to today's “heaven” and “earth”?

9 Let us now focus on another detail from Revelation 21:5: “Making all things new.” to). In this chapter of the Bible, this phrase makes us think of two actions of Jehovah: replacing and restoring. First let's talk about what he's going to replace. Revelation 21:1 says, “The former heaven and the former earth had disappeared.” “The former heaven” represents governments that are under the influence of Satan and demons (Matt. 4:8, 9; 1 John 5:19). In the Bible, the word earth is sometimes used to refer to the inhabitants of the planet (Gen. 11:1; Ps. 96:1). Therefore, “the former land” represents the evil people of today. That means  b). Jehovah is not going to make simple improvements to “heaven” and “earth,” but will completely destroy them and replace them with “a new heaven and a new earth,” that is, a new government and a new human society.

10. In what other sense will Jehovah make “all things new”?

10 In what other sense will Jehovah make “all things new”? (Rev. 21:5). Jehovah will restore the planet and humanity to perfection. Just as Isaiah prophesied, the entire planet will become a paradise. It will be as beautiful as the garden of Eden. We too will be renewed or restored individually. Jehovah will heal the lame, the blind, and the deaf, and will even restore life to those who have died (Isa. 25:8; 35:1-7).

“THEY ARE FAITHFUL AND TRUE” AND “THEY HAVE ALREADY COME TRUE!”

11. What did Jehovah command John, and why?

11 What is the next part of the warranty? Jehovah told John: “Write these words, for they are faithful and true” (Rev. 21:5). In addition to asking John to write down his words, Jehovah gave him a reason to do so. He said to him, “Because they are faithful and true,” that is, God's words are reliable and accurate. How good it is that John obeyed Jehovah's command and wrote them down! Thanks to that, we can read God's promise about Paradise and meditate on the wonderful blessings we will have in the future.

12. Why can Jehovah say “They have come true!”?

 12 What does Jehovah say next? “They have already come true!” (Rev. 21:6). Jehovah speaks as if all the things he has promised about Paradise have already happened. And rightly so, because nothing can prevent him from fulfilling his purpose. What does Jehovah say next to give even more weight to his guarantee?

“I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA”

13. Why does Jehovah claim “I am the Alpha and the Omega”?

13 As previously stated, Jehovah spoke three times in the visions that John received (Rev. 1:8; 21:5, 6; 22:13). In all of them, Jehovah affirmed: “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega is the last. By calling himself “the Alpha and the Omega,” Jehovah implies that when he starts something, he finishes it.

14. a) Give an example of when Jehovah said “Alpha” and when he will say “Omega.” b) What does Jehovah guarantee us in Genesis 2:1-3?

14 After creating Adam and Eve, Jehovah told them his purpose for humanity and the Earth. The Bible tells: “God blessed them and said to them, 'Have many children, multiply, fill the earth, and take control of it'” (Gen. 1:28). By revealing his purpose it is as if Jehovah at that moment had said “Alpha.” Someday the obedient and perfect descendants of Adam and Eve would fill the Earth and turn it into a paradise. On that day, Jehovah, so to speak, will say “Omega.” When he finished creating “the heavens and the earth and everything in them,” Jehovah guaranteed the fulfillment of his purpose. How did he do it? Declaring the seventh day sacred (read Genesis 2:1-3). What does that mean? That Jehovah dedicated the seventh day to fulfilling his purpose for humanity and the Earth. By the end of that seventh day, his purpose would be completely realized.

ILLUSTRATION

Images related to the fulfillment of Jehovah's purpose. 1. “Alpha.” Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 2. The consequences of the rebellion, represented by Satan as an evil angel, aged Adam and Eve, the tower of Babel, a cemetery, some soldiers, a tank, some fighter planes, some polluting factories and a crowd at a demonstration. Below are two images that show how Jehovah's purpose is being fulfilled: Jesus on the torture stake, representing the ransom, and a group of Jehovah's servants from ancient and modern times, representing the righteous descendants of Adam and Eve. . 3. “Omega”. Several people in Paradise, working and enjoying life together. When Jehovah starts something, he finishes it. (See paragraphs 14 and 17).

15. Why might it have seemed that Jehovah could no longer fulfill his purpose?

15 After rebelling, Adam and Eve became sinners and passed on sin and death to their descendants (Rom. 5:12). Would that affect God's purpose of filling the Earth with obedient and perfect people? Would Satan ensure that Jehovah could never say “Omega”? He could give that impression. Perhaps the Devil thought that Jehovah had very few options. For example, one option was to eliminate Adam and Eve, and create another perfect couple that would fulfill their purpose for humanity. But if Jehovah had done that, the Devil would have accused him of being a liar. Because? Because, according to Genesis 1:28, Jehovah had told Adam and Eve that their descendants would fill the Earth.

16. Why did Satan perhaps think he could accuse Jehovah of being a failure?

16 What other option perhaps crossed the Devil's mind? He may have thought that Jehovah would let Adam and Eve have children, but that they would never become perfect (Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:23). If that had happened, Satan would surely have accused Jehovah of being a failure. Because? Because God's purpose could not be fulfilled; The Earth would not be filled with perfect human beings.

17. What did Jehovah do to resolve the rebellion of Satan and the first humans, and how will it all end? (See also the image).

17 The way Jehovah resolved the rebellion of Satan and the first humans must have left Satan speechless (Ps. 92:5). By allowing Adam and Eve to have children, Jehovah demonstrated that he is not a liar at all, but that his word is always fulfilled. And he also showed that he is not a failure, but quite the opposite. As? He caused there to be a “seed” who would save the obedient descendants of Adam and Eve, and so his purpose moved forward (Gen. 3:15; 22:18). It would never have occurred to Satan that Jehovah would save humanity through ransom. Because? Because rescue is a gesture of pure love (Matt. 20:28; John 3:16). And Satan is so selfish that he cannot feel that kind of love. So what will be achieved thanks to the rescue? At the end of the 1,000 years, the obedient and perfect descendants of Adam and Eve will live on Earth as a paradise, just as Jehovah intended from the beginning. At that time, Jehovah will be able to say “Omega.”

HOW TO STRENGTHEN OUR TRUST IN THE PROMISE OF PARADISE

18. What three reasons does Jehovah give us to trust in his promise? (See also the box “Three Reasons to Trust in Jehovah's Promise.”)

18 In this article we have seen reasons that confirm that the Earth will be a paradise. What can we say to others to assure them that God will keep his promise? First of all, it is Jehovah himself who makes the promise. Revelation says: “He who sat on the throne said, 'Look! I am making all things new.'” He wants to fulfill his promise and has the wisdom and power to achieve it. Secondly, Jehovah is so sure that his promise will be fulfilled that he speaks of it as if it had already happened. That is why he says about his words: “They are faithful and true.” And he adds: “They have already come true!” Thirdly, when Jehovah begins something he finishes it. This is confirmed by the phrase “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Jehovah will prove that Satan is a liar and a failure.

Three reasons to trust in Jehovah's promise

A shining throne that represents Jehovah.

He who sat on the throne said, 'Look! I am making all things new'” (Rev. 21:5).

The apostle John writing on a parchment.

“He also said, 'Write these words, for they are faithful and true.' […] 'They have come true!'” (Rev. 21:5, 6).

The Greek letters alpha and omega.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev. 21:6).

19. What could you do if someone has a hard time believing that Earth will be a paradise?

19 Remember that every time you talk to someone in the service about God's assurance, you will strengthen your own confidence in Jehovah's promises. So, if after reading someone the encouraging promise of Revelation 21:4, the person says, “That's too good to be true,” what could he do? A good idea would be to read and explain verses 5 and 6. Show the person that Jehovah has thus guaranteed the fulfillment of his promise; it is as if he had put his own signature on it (Is. 65:16).

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why is it special that it is Jehovah himself who has promised Paradise?

It is special that it is Jehovah himself who has promised paradise because he is the creator of the universe and has the power and wisdom to fulfill his promise. Furthermore, Jehovah is a God of love and mercy, and his promise of his country is a display of his love for humanity. Since Jehovah is the one who makes the promise, we can be sure that it will be fulfilled, since he is faithful and true in everything he says.

What phrases are part of the guarantee that God gives us?

The guarantee that God gives us includes the following phrases: «Look, I am making things new», «Write these words, because they are faithful and true» «They have already come true», «I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

How can we strengthen our confidence in the promise of Paradise?

We can strengthen our confidence in the promise of paradise by remembering the guarantees that God gives us. For example, in Revelation 21:5, Jehovah declares: “Look, I am making things new.” Furthermore, he affirms that these words are faithful and true, and that they have already come true. This direct statement from Jehovah, who cannot lie, reinforces our confidence that his promise will be fulfilled.